Book review: the pickwick papers, by charles dickens

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza

According to the author's intention, Pickwick should be perceived as an alien body in the realm of prosaic everyday life. Someone who could be called an "old fool of a farce" is perceived as a modern Don Quixote, only more attractive because this time the features of the immortal hidalgo are given to a fat bourgeois, who is easy to laugh at.
Sancho Panza's role is assigned to Pickwick's valet Sam Weller, endowed with a wonderful inclination to put up with circumstances, which his master either does not take into account or deliberately ignores. Sam's life experience and sober mind make necessary adjustments to the "Pickwick theory" of openness and benevolence toward one's neighbor, which sometimes leads to regrettable consequences in practice (for example, Pickwick finds himself in a debt prison as a victim of chicanery and swindles, and then almost becomes the prey of a reckless adventurer Jingle, who arranged a rally, compromising this paladin of honor).
Sam's quick-wittedness, coupled with the understanding that human nature sometimes has to be expressed not in the most flattering sense, is a salutary way out of tricky situations, much more effective than the fiery idealism of the Pickwickists. Dissimilarity in nature, however, does not prevent him disinterestedly adore his master. Knowing well what the world is like, Weller does not lose his cheerfulness and optimism during the whole novel.

Author's Vision of the Calling of Human

Heroes of the book value above all their own understanding of the truth, which remains pure, contrary to all their naivety and comical absurdity that often distinguish their behavior. In this respect, the characters acquire the status of heroes who expressed Dickens's most intimate thoughts about the essence and vocation of a human.

3.BOOK REVIEW: THE PICKWICK PAPERS, BY CHARLES DICKENS

The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club (commonly known as The Pickwick Papers) is the first novel by Charles Dickens. The book became the first real publishing phenomenon, with bootleg copies, theatrical performances, Sam Weller joke books and other merchandise.
Written for publication as a serial, The Pickwick Papers is a sequence of loosely-related adventures. The novel's main character, Mr. Samuel Pickwick, Esquire, is a kind and wealthy old gentleman, and the founder and perpetual president of the Pickwick Club. To extend his researches into the quaint and curious phenomena of life, he suggests that he and three other "Pickwickians" (Mr. Nathaniel Winkle, Mr. Augustus Snodgrass, and Mr. Tracy Tupman) should make journeys to remote places from London and report on their findings to the members of the club. Their travels throughout the English countryside provide the chief theme of the novel.
Its main literary value and appeal is formed by its numerous memorable characters. Each character in The Pickwick Papers, as in many other Dickens novels, is drawn comically, often with exaggerated personalities. Alfred Jingle provides an aura of comic villainy. His misadventures repeatedly land the Pickwickians in trouble. These include Jingle's elopement with the spinster, Aunt Rachael of Dingley Dell manor, misadventures with Dr. Slammer, and others.
The first ray of light which illumines the gloom, and converts into a dazzling brilliancy that obscurity in which the earlier history of the public career of the immortal Pickwick would appear to be involved, is derived from the perusal of the following entry in the Transactions of the Pickwick Club, which the editor of these papers feels the highest pleasure in laying before his readers, as a proof of the careful attention, indefatigable assiduity, and nice discrimination, with which his search among the multifarious documents confided to him has been conducted.
'May 12, 1827. Joseph Smiggers, Esq., P.V.P.M.P.C. [Perpetual Vice-President—Member Pickwick Club], presiding. The following resolutions unanimously agreed to:—
'That this Association has heard read, with feelings of unmingled satisfaction, and unqualified approval, the paper communicated by Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C. [General Chairman—Member Pickwick Club], entitled "Speculations on the Source of the Hampstead Ponds, with some Observations on the Theory of Tittlebats;" and that this Association does hereby return its warmest thanks to the said Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., for the same.
'That while this Association is deeply sensible of the advantages which must accrue to the cause of science, from the production to which they have just adverted—no less than from the unwearied researches of Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., in Hornsey, Highgate, Brixton, and Camberwell—they cannot but entertain a lively sense of the inestimable benefits which must inevitably result from carrying the speculations of that learned man into a wider field, from extending his travels, and, consequently, enlarging his sphere of observation, to the advancement of knowledge, and the diffusion of learning.
The Pickwick Papers was Charles Dickens' first novel. I wouldn't recommend it as someone's first Dickens novel to read, as it's evident if you've read a few others that he was already a brilliant writer, but he was still perfecting his style. Also, The Pickwick Papers, like many of his books, was originally published in serialized form, but since this was his first effort, there isn't a really a main plot. Rather, it's a long series of adventures featuring Samuel Pickwick, Esquire, and his friends and foes, all wealthy London gentlemen who want to get out and see a bit more of the world (i.e., parts of England within a coach ride from London). So from one chapter to the next we read the humorous adventures of Mr. Winkle, Mr. Smiggers, Mr. Snodgrass, Mr. Trotter, Dr. Slammer, and so on. Sometimes entire chapters are devoted to a character telling an unrelated story, ranging from anecdotes about bygone relatives to ghost stories and Christmas tales, clearly "filler" material while Dickens decided what to do next with his Pickwickian characters.
The Pickwick Papers are mostly a series of humorous misadventures, with a bit of satire, that give some insight into the mores of Victorian society. You can also see Dickens working on a few prototypes that will show up in later novels - for example, there is a very Scrooge-like morality tale, and a goblin story that resembles his other Christmas tales. You also see his social consciousness already manifesting itself. After Mr Pickwick is sued for "breach of promise" (supposedly extending an offer of marriage which he then reneged on), the trial is described in humorous fashion, starring the character who would become a fan favorite in Dickens' day, Sam Weller, Mr. Pickwick's Cockney manservant. The jury rules against Pickwick, and he tells off the crooked attorneys for the plaintiff.
They stopped in a side room while Perker paid the court fees; and here, Mr. Pickwick was joined by his friends. Here, too, he encountered Messrs. Dodson & Fogg, rubbing their hands with every token of outward satisfaction.

'Well, gentlemen,' said Mr. Pickwick.

'Well, Sir,' said Dodson, for self and partner.

'You imagine you'll get your costs, don't you, gentlemen?' said Mr. Pickwick.

Fogg said they thought it rather probable. Dodson smiled, and said they'd try.
'You may try, and try, and try again, Messrs. Dodson and Fogg,' said Mr. Pickwick vehemently, 'but not one farthing of costs or damages do you ever get from me, if I spend the rest of my existence in a debtor's prison.'
'Ha! ha!' laughed Dodson. 'You'll think better of that, before next term, Mr. Pickwick.'
'He, he, he! We'll soon see about that, Mr. Pickwick,' grinned Fogg.
Speechless with indignation, Mr. Pickwick allowed himself to be led by his solicitor and friends to the door, and there assisted into a hackney-coach, which had been fetched for the purpose, by the ever-watchful Sam Weller.
Standing on principle (but without much sense), Mr. Pickwick ends up going to debtor's prison, which is described in grimly realistic detail. Mr. Pickwick, a wealthy gentleman, is able to make himself somewhat more comfortable there with his ability to bribe the jailers and prisoners, but he learns just how horrible life is for the downtrodden members of society who don't have other options.
The novel was published as a serial, issued in instalments, as was common with many other works at the time. Dickens was commissioned to write the book by his publisher, who originally wanted Dickens to merely provide the text to complement illustrations by Robert Seymour, who had proposed to draw a series of illustrations surrounding the comic adventures of the members of a sporting club. However, Dickens indicated that he knew nothing about hunting and other sports activities, and so he redefined the work.
The original concept of a group of characters experiencing comical adventures was retained, but in Dickens' version the characters belonged to the Pickwick Club, named after its founder and perpetual president Samuel Pickwick. The objective of the club is to explore life and to this end, Pickwick and the other members of the Club make journeys out of London to various parts of England, meeting quaint and bizarre character along the way. Some critics have seen similarities between the Pickwick Papers and other picaresque novels such as Don Quixote,
Robert Seymour was relegated to a secondary role, and now instead of Dickens providing the text to illustrations created by Seymour, Seymour was required to illustrate Dickens's writing. Only part way through the publication of the book, Seymour committed suicide, apparently despondent over a number of reverses including his lack of creative control over the Pickwick Papers. A controversy developed as to whether Seymour ought to have been credited with the idea for the Pickwick Papers, but Dickens and his publisher denied that Seymour had any meaningful input.
Mr Pickwick Chases his Hat - Illustration by Robert Seymour
The Pickwick Papers became a publishing phenomenon. Readers eagerly awaited each new instalment; those who could afford to buy a copy would read it to their friends and relatives who could not. The success of the book was due to Dickens' creation of a cast of eccentric, humorous characters as well as his nostalgic portrait of England which contrasted with the cynical reality of the time.
The Pickwick Papers was published in 19 episodes spread over 20 months; the last instalment was of double length and cost two shillings since Dickens had skipped the May 1837 issue due to the death of his sister, Mary Hogarth. Each instalment was usually published at the end of the month.
As the author's first novel, The Pickwick Papers had a somewhat troubled history: the first two issues included four illustrations by Robert Seymour and 24 pages of text. After the suicide of the artist, the latter was replaced by RW Buss for the third instalment and the composition of the editions was changed to two illustrations and two pages of text each. However, Buss did not like the work and so he was replaced in turn by Hablot Knight Browne (Phiz) for the fourth instalments. This was the beginning of a very fruitful collaboration between Phiz and Dickens; Phiz continued to work for the author for over 23 years.
The Pickwick Papers describes the travels of Mr. Samuel Pickwick, founder of the Pickwick Club, with his friends Nathaniel Winkle, Augustus Snodgrass and Tracy Tupman through early nineteenth century England. The book features a cast of bizarre characters and situations.
There is no overriding plot to the novel, but rather a series of somewhat connected vignettes involving the characters. One story involves a lawsuit between Mr. Pickwick and his landlady, who, due to a misunderstanding, sues Mr. Pickwick for breach of promise to marry. The landlady wins the lawsuit and is awarded damages, but Mr. Pickwick stubbornly refuses to pay her and so is imprisoned in the Marshalsea, the prison for debtors ( a recurring theme in Dickens's works - for example Little Dorrit - as well as in Dickens own family history). Other characters are more lucky in love: Augustus Snodgrass falls in love with the daughter of Mr. Wardle, a jovial and wealthy gentleman of peasant origins whom the travelers encounter during a trip. And then there are other romantic pairings, some successful, some mercenary, and always comical.

Aside from this episode, though, most of the book is quite light-hearted.